Fox Networks Group Europe and Africa has greenlit its first regional scripted commission The Nine (working title), from Rogue creator Matthew Parkhill and American Odyssey producer Simon Maxwell.

The new 8×60 drama, described as an intense, character-driven espionage thriller, will air on Fox in more than 50 European and African countries. This first scripted project has been commissioned by Jeff Ford, SVP Content and Development and Sara Johnson, VP Scripted Drama for FNG, Europe & Africa and will go into pre-production in the new year.

Set in the UK, U.S., Iran, Lebanon and France, the story centers on Max Easton, an ex-spy who is brought back into the game to avenge the death of his son, only to find himself at the heart of a covert intelligence war and a conspiracy to profit from spreading the chaos throughout the Middle East.

Parkhill, Maxwell and Stephen Thompson (Sherlock, Doctor Who) write the series while Hilary Bevan Jones and Tom Nash (Esio Trot) produce for Endor Productions, part of the Red Arrow Group.

Parkhill wrote the pilot and will serve as showrunner. He’ll also direct four of the eight episodes and exec produce while Maxwell will also exec produce alongside Bevan Jones, Alan Greenspan of 6 Degree Media and Helen Flint of Little Island Productions. Ford and Johnson will exec produce for Fox Networks Group, Europe and Africa.

“Following the huge success we’ve had with our Fox Global content, we made a commitment to develop drama for this region specifically, that has the potential to be a success worldwide,” said Ford in a statement.

Bevan Jones added: “Fox Networks Group, with their ambitious global reach, is the perfect partner for this drama. We will be filming on location in Morocco, using the expertise of producer Khadija Alami (The Night Manager) to bring this visceral story to the screen.”